Wayne L. Creelman, MD, MBA, MMM, CPE, DLFAPA, FACPE is a Professor & McCabe Eminent Scholar in the department of Psychiatry at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is Board Certified in General Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and an American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Board Examiner in Psychiatry. He also has been awarded Masters’ degrees in both Medical Management and Business Administration. He has been awarded the Distinguished Fellow status of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Creelman has a lifelong interest in psychiatric evaluation, treatment and maximizing outcomes. He is a national expert on depression, TMS, psychiatric medications and side effects. Dr. Creelman, a deacon and biblical scholar, has a lifelong commitment to scholarly activities related to ethics, medicine and religion. With Richard Shader, David Greenblatt and Dominic Ciraulo, Dr. Creelman authored an American Psychiatry classic…Drug Interactions in Psychiatry. This reference text published by Williams & Wilkins is in its 3rd Edition. He is the author of clinical articles, manuals and monographs and 4 book reviews. Most of all he is a very popular teacher and lecturer who has spoken extensively on medical psychiatry to post graduate physician audiences throughout the United States since 1982. Dr. Creelman evaluates and treats patients at the UF Center for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at Vero Beach.

As a boarded physician executive in both medical management and psychiatry with over 25 years of experience in the behavioral/medical care arena; Dr. Creelman is a true expert in treating complex mental illnesses.

Specializing in the treatment of depression for the Treasure Coast

What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

TMS is a safe and highly effective treatment for adults with major depression. TMS is not a medication or medications but rather uses magnetic stimulation of the brain to improve mood. TMS uses focused magnetic impulses. The procedure was approved by the FDA in October 2008 after more than ten years of clinical investigation by Psychiatrists and other depression experts. TMS even helps patients who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from antidepressants or have troubling side effects.

How does TMS work?

Depression is believed to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, TMS helps restore balance relieving the symptoms of depression. During TMS treatment, a Psychiatrist gently places a magnet coil against one side of a patient’s scalp to non-invasively stimulate the brain in the pre-frontal cortex (region of the brain associated with mood regulation). These currents activate cells within the brain that release neurotransmitters which play a role in mood regulation.

The Advantages of TMS

TMS sessions last an hour and patients are awake and alert. During a treatment session the patient sits in a comfortable reclining chair similar to that found in a dentist’s office. A headset is applied to deliver the magnetic stimulation. You can watch TV or listen to music or relax in a comfortable chair while the magnet is working. TMS is non-invasive and requires no pre-medication, anesthesia or sedation. Because it is not a medication there are no medication risks, no interactions with other medications, no typical antidepressant side effects. TMS is a treatment that is preferred by patients who have had a partial response or failed antidepressant treatment, disliked antidepressant effects or side effects, busy work schedules, are in recovery, older, on other medications, female and considering child bearing. There are not many recognizable effects or after-effects, therefore patients return immediately to regular activity after the treatment is finished.

Treatment

The course of treatment will vary according to each individual. An initial assessment by Dr. Creelman will determine the appropriate dose of the magnetic pulse and the exact area of the brain the magnet should activate. Patients typically receive 20 – 30 treatments over four to six weeks. There may also be a taper phase. During the TMS treatment the patient is monitored to ensure correct positioning and comfort level. More patients in the most recent clinical studies who failed one antidepressant trial succeeded with TMS than any second antidepressant or therapy.

Are There Risks and Side Effects with TMS?

More than 10,000 treatments were safely performed just during clinical trials. Patient reported no side effects like those associated with antidepressant medication (weight gain, dry mouth, drowsiness, etc.), no seizures and no cognitive side effects (memory loss, ability to concentrate). Scalp discomfort during the procedure is the most common side effect. TMS should not be used for patients with implanted metallic devices that include metal plates in the skull or aneurysm coils, clips or stents. Special precautions are recommended for individuals with implants such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Is TMS covered by insurance?

Both private and public (Medicare and Medicaid) insurers determine eligibility for TMS on an individual basis. Patients should work directly with their insurers to receive approval for TMS.